Clotheslines

This time in our church year is full of mystery, and perhaps we miss some of it because we are so busy with the things of earth. I know sometimes it’s difficult for me to remember the “real reason for the season.” So, what is this mystery? Mystery. Many years ago, mystery used to remind me of the Lone Ranger. (I think we can all remember back that far!) He was the masked man who always came to the rescue, but no one really knew his identity. Until one day, an announcement was

It’s Christmas Eve. The shopping is done. The decorating and preparations for company are finished. We stand back, look at what we have accomplished, and wonder: Am I prepared enough? Truth is…have we given much thought to what this is really all about? Perhaps not…at least…until tonight. Tonight, the most amazing event in human history took place: the birth of God in human form. Have you ever thought about it like that? While God’s greatest creation — humankind — sinned and

This past Sunday we looked at all the hints God gives us. You know what I mean…those things that on the surface don’t seem like a big deal, but when they come to fruition, they are a very big deal. Let me give you an example. Two seemingly uneventful events happened on the same day and the same year: February 12, 1809. Two baby boys were born: one in Shrewsbury, England and one in Hodgenville, Kentucky. Both babies lived normal lives for the time in which they were born, but

“Happy Advent, you brood of vipers!” Did that shock you? Let me explain… That’s what John the Baptist said last Sunday. He appears faithfully every year on the second Sunday of Advent to deliver a message that shocks us out of our happy holiday preparations. But take heart: at least we know he’s talking to the Pharisees and Sadducees who came out to the desert to see what he was up to…and I’ll bet they didn’t expect that! John’s message to all who came out to hear him was: Re

It’s hard to believe that it’s already the season of Advent, and the time has come once again when we hear the Gospel message: “You do not know on what day the Lord is coming.” That’s Jesus’ reminder that he will come again as he promised. And we also hear the message from Paul: “Let us lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” The ongoing message in the season of Advent is light. We all know how difficult it is to function without light. I remember driv

There is a quote from the prophet Micah that I’ve always loved: “With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do ju

For the past two weeks we have been on a journey of discovery. We have looked at those things that show us who Jesus really is. Once we grasp the concept of this Jesus…who he is, how much he loves us, and wants a relationship with us…it is time to choose Jesus. And in making this choice, we must follow wherever he leads. That’s the final leg of our journey: following Jesus. So how do we follow Jesus? There is a wonderful story that can explain this. Many, many years ago when

Last week we looked at what it means to discover Jesus .  We looked at the need to learn more about this Jesus who wants us to choose His way of life.  And we suggested the folly of even considering such a choice until we really discover who this Jesus is and why he not only wants a relationship with us but why he deserves that relationship, our love and our worship.  And together we discovered:  Jesus is indeed the Son of God; Jesus is our Savior; Jesus changes our hearts, g

As Christians we think we know Jesus. But do we really know Him? We can know lots of things about Jesus, but to really know Him, we need to feel His presence and His power in our lives. Sadly, lots of Christians appear to live a life in Christ, at least on the outside. They do things out of duty. They react solely out of another’s expectations. But is that what it means to know Jesus, to really be a Christian? And if you don’t really know Jesus, how can you follow Him? If you

What exactly does it mean to be “righteous,” to be in a right relationship with God? In Jesus’ time, the Pharisees would answer that questions with: reading Scripture for several hours a day, fasting often, keeping the commandments to the letter and keeping a distance from those who didn’t follow those rules. Whew! That makes me tired just thinking about it! Yet, Jesus wants us to be in a right relationship with Him. But the Pharisee’s idea of righteousness isn’t Jesus’ idea.